I buy the 5 lb Nestle in a block, cut off a large piece and stretch it around apples....it is wonderful and of course, thicker than dipping...I tried putting it in a bowl and melting a bit in microwave to dip but it puddled and did not look good. this works better.

Here's the recipe I use. I also use it for my pretzel rods and anything else I feel like dipping in caramel. The key to putting caramel on an apple is to dunk the apples in very hot water for a minute or so and then rub them to get the wax off. That is why the caramel doesn't stick. I made 150 last Halloween for a party and didn't have any troubles.

Elizabeth,Sometimes I let it cool a bit. Usually I give them a quick dunk, let them set and then redunk them. Because it gives them such a thin coat when it's that hot... that's why I do it twice. If I let it cool some, it is thicker and I just need one coat. I have found though, that when I do it when the caramel is hot and thin, that I have less breakage of my pretzels. Then I dunk them in chocolate, then sprinkle with toffee bits... yum! One word of caution - use parchament to lay them on, not waxed paper. I have had them stick to wax paper because the heat of the caramel melts the wax.~Jen